OTTAWA – Matt D’Agostini was looking for a bigger role than the one he had with the St. Louis Blues this season.

He was not, however, expecting to replace Ilya Kovalchuk in the Devils’ lineup, which is what he will do tonight when he skates at right wing on the line with Adam Henrique and Andrei Loktionov against the Ottawa Senators.

“He’s one of those guys that is going to get that opportunity,” coach Pete DeBoer said. “We talked to our team earlier this year about how Travis Zajac’s injury last year opened the door for Adam Henrique to come in and establish himself as a quality NHL player. We’re hoping that someone steps in and does that and (D'Agostini) is definitely one of those candidates.”

Those are big skates to fill, but D'Agostini is excited about his opportunity.

“That’s what I was looking for, to play a bigger role. Hopefully I can make the most of my opportunity here,” he said.

“Anytime there are injuries, that obviously creates opportunities for other guys. It’s not just me who’s going to be looked upon to fill Kovy’s spot. It’s going to have to be a group effort and share the responsibilities and pick up the scoring. We have the depth on this team to fill a spot like that.”

This is somewhat reminiscent of losing Zach Parise for a lengthy period in 2010-11.

“I don’t know how long, exactly, Kovy is going to be out. But it’s the same situation, losing a big piece of the team,” Zajac said. “He plays in every type of situation for us. He plays a lot of minutes

“Everyone goes through it. Our game is all about structure and work ethic, so I don’t think that is going to change. Hopefully he gets back quick. Whenever he gets back, we’ll be ready for him. I think we’re capable of (overcoming his absence).”

Patrik Elias agreed.

“It was (Parise), it was Marty (Brodeur) when he went out with his arm,” Elias said. “It’s not the first time and this is not the last time it’s going to happen. Even last year Travis was out (with a torn Achilles tendon). He’s always been a big part of the overall game here.

“We’re not the first team. (Ottawa) has three or four big guys out and they find a way. We should look at those guys. They just work extremely hard, every one of them. They’re a pain in the (butt) to play against. You build up confidence that way. That’s the way we have to play—in their face, be responsible defensively and offensively. That goes a long way."

The Devils were, in fact, given a pep talk about how the Senators have coped so well without top players like Erik Karlsson, Jason Spezza and others.

“You don’t have to look any further than down the hall here at a team that has risen to the occasion of their better players being out of the lineup. We need to do the same thing,” DeBoer said. “The reality of where we’re at, the league is not going to stand still until he comes back and we have to keep picking up points. We have to find a way to keep doing that.”

DeBoer was asked if Kovalchuk’s absence will mean more work juggling his lineup.

“I’m not going to be able to have my usual sleep behind the bench, if that’s what you’re saying,” DeBoer said with a laugh. “We have to move guys in and out. The nice thing for me is guys are excited to take up some of those minutes on the power play, penalty killing and some of his offensive roles. We’ve got a lineup of guys excited about the opportunity.”

Kovalchuk was put on injured reserve and is expected to be lost at least two weeks and perhaps a month.

He underwent an MRI on his right shoulder, which did not show anything different than the X-rays which had been taken. His status remains the same.

“It’s serious ernough that Lou (Lamoriello) said 2-4 weeks,” DeBoer said. “To me, that’s good news. We know he’s going to be back. We just have to give ourselves an opportunity to keep on playing and still have a chance to get in the playoffs when he’s back.

“This is playoff hockey right now. You’re in the home stretch. Points are at a premium. You’ve got a ton of teams that are bunched up. One bad week and you can be on the outside looking in. I think the playoffs started about a week ago, at least for us and a lot of the teams in the league.”

Others, like the recently-acquired D’Agostini, must step up.

“You need that depth going into the playoff stretch. You’re trying to make the playoffs,” D’Agositini said. “Every team wants that. Hopefully I can come in, play my game and create some chances.”